Ask Dr. Gupta: Is Medical Marijuana A Good Thing?

Q: I've read that you now support legalizing medical marijuana. What should we know about its pros and cons?–Siobhan O'Connor, New York City

A: Yes, I now support the use of medical marijuana, or cannabis, for certain conditions—and scientific study into its medical uses. Last year, I worked on a documentary, Weed, which debuted on CNN. I interviewed researchers, doctors, patients, and growers and asked them tough questions.

I once believed the US Drug Enforcement Administration had research to back up its classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, I learned that marijuana does not have a high potential for abuse and does have legitimate medical applications. In fact, for some, marijuana is the only thing that relieves their condition.

Take neuropathy, a severe nerve pain that's often treated with narcotic pain relievers. Yet marijuana has proven to be effective, with few side effects. Every 19 minutes, someone in the United States dies from a prescription drug overdose, usually narcotics. I couldn't find one documented fatality from a marijuana overdose. Marijuana can also ease nausea from chemotherapy treatments, tremors, and epilepsy. Still, I'm very concerned about young people using pot recreationally; studies suggest that teenagers' regular marijuana use can lead to lower IQs.

SANJAY GUPTA, MD, is chief medical correspondent for CNN and a practicing neurosurgeon at Emory Clinic in Atlanta.